By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics USA

LEXINGTON, KY — (June 17, 2025) — In a move sparking backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates across Kentucky, the University of Kentucky’s healthcare system (UK HealthCare) has withdrawn from the 2025 Lexington Pride Festival, citing pressure to comply with a Trump-era executive order banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at federally funded institutions.

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The sudden withdrawal follows a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, which is currently probing over 40 universities — including UK — for alleged violations of the 2025 executive order signed by President Donald Trump just weeks into his second term.

UK HealthCare was previously a listed sponsor of the June 28 event, which its organizers describe as “Central Kentucky’s premiere celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity, culture, and pride.” The healthcare system had actively participated in previous years, making its absence in 2025 especially conspicuous.

A Broad Retreat From Inclusion

While federal investigators are reportedly focusing on race-based DEI policies, university officials are opting to apply the restrictions broadly — including the institution’s participation in identity-based events like Lexington Pride — to avoid potential penalties tied to federal funding.

This isn’t the first retreat. UK dismantled its DEI office in 2024 and has since accelerated internal efforts to scale back diversity initiatives, especially after Kentucky’s legislature passed its own anti-DEI law this spring.

LGBTQ+ students, staff, and community partners are now questioning UK’s long-term commitment to equality and inclusion.

UK HealthCare’s retreat from Pride sends a chilling message: when politics dictate inclusion, the LGBTQ+ community pays the price.

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